Madras HC seeks report on embezzled temple funds
The said communication was issued as early as on December 31, 2018.
Ooty: The Madras high court has directed authorities to file a report regarding the action taken on the alleged misappropriation of funds and properties, based on the chief auditor’s report relating to the Arulmighu Thandayuthapani Temple, Palani, Arulmighu Sri Ranganathar Temple, Thiruvarangam, Arulmighu Subramanya Swamy Temple, Thiruchendur and Arulmighu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai, for the past 10 fusils, by April 22.
A division bench comprising Justices N. Kirubakaran and S.S. Sundar gave the directive while passing interim orders on a petition filed by A. Radhakrishnan, which sought a direction to the authorities to take appropriate action against the Joint Commissioner, HR & CE department, Sivagangai.
The bench said according to petitioner, the Joint Commissioner, HR & CE, Sivagangai, is presently working as Assistant Commissioner in HR & CE, Tuticorin. Before that, she was working as Assistant Commissioner at Paramakudi and she has also held additional charge of the Arulmighu Irukkankudi Mariamman Temple, Virudhunagar district as well as Executive Officer of the Arulmighu Badrakaliamman Temple, Madapuram, Sivagangai Distirct. Though she was then transferred, she was not relieved immediately and she has not handed over the charges.
Therefore, the Commissioner, HR & CE by a communication dated December 31, 2018, directed her to hand over all the properties including the jewellery of Arulmighu Madapuram Badrakaliamman temple. The said communication was issued as early as on December 31, 2018.
"The commissioner, HR & CE has to file an affidavit as to how a junior official failed to act upon the orders of the highest official in time", the bench added.
The bench said special government pleader VR. Shanmuganathan submitted that an enquiry has been conducted against the Joint Commissioner, HR & CE, Sivagangai, and in fact, disciplinary proceedings has been initiated and same was pending and in that position, this court was unable to understand how an official was allowed to function as Assistant Commissioner.
It was submitted by the counsel for the petitioner that based on the chief auditor's Report, no action has been taken in spite of pointing out misappropriation of several lakhs of money as well as properties.
Therefore, the authorities have to file a report regarding the action taken based on the Chief Auditor's Report relating to Arumighu Thandayuthapani Temple, Palani, Arulmighu Sri Ranganathar Temple, Thiruvarangam, Arulmighu Subramanya Swamy Temple, Thiruchendur and Arulmighu Meenakshi Sundereswarar Temple, Madura for the past ten fusils by April 22, the bench added.